Bradford City set to re-ignite transfer interest in League One striker | OneFootball

Bradford City look set to re-ignite interest in a January transfer target, with a 13-goal striker eyed by Graham Alexander's side...

Bradford City lost in the play-off semi-finals to Bolton Wanderers, but must now turn their attentions to next season and transfer activity after an excellent season in League One overall for Graham Alexander's side.

Expectations were not necessarily centered around having another promotion push immediately after finishing third in League Two, but Bradford City were in the top seven every single gameweek of the season and their ambition in 2026/27 will be to compete again.

Of all the clubs to have lost in the play-offs so far, Bradford have perhaps stomached it the easiest after an excellent first year in the division since 2018/19. However, goals were spread around the team plenty this term, rather than a focal point bagging most.

Only Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon hit double figures for the Bantams, with 11 and 10 respectively. Six other players notched between three and eight, including forwards like Will Swann and Stephen Humphreys, while defender Joe Wright also bagged three.

Bradford City eye another move for Burton Albion striker

It's perhaps no surprise to see Bradford eyeing forwards again this summer, having allowed the iconic Andy Cook to depart on a free transfer and with loan signings like Ethan Wheatley flattering to deceive and heading back to parent club Man United.

Kayden Jackson also signed in January and bagged three in nine start, but a clinical centre-forward could be transformative to this Bradford team. Back in January, Bradford made a move for Burton Albion's Jake Beesley alongside Luton Town.

Beesley has had an outstanding season this term, scoring 13 and assisting nine in 47 matches in all competitions. The 29-year-old joined Burton last summer from Blackpool but could be on the move already.

The Sheffield-born striker has played in Bradford before, having had a loan in 2018/19 with Bradford Park Avenue. Now, he could be set to move back to West Yorkshire in the summer after the latest update on his future.

Journalist Alan Nixon has confirmed Beesley is a target for Bradford again this summer, following FLW's exclusive report in January that the Bantams were keen on his services.

He reports that the West Yorkshire outfit will make a fresh move after failing to land him in the previous window. It's stated the Bantams want more goal power and that Beesley could be keen on the better terms available at Valley Parade.

Graham Alexander's Bradford City side have to kick on again in 2026-27

Few could argue that Alexander has not done an excellent job at Bradford, particularly after guiding the club out of League Two and restoring a real sense of pride around Valley Parade.

That said, challenging for promotion has lifted expectations again, though, and clubs of Bradford’s size and support base should not simply be content with consolidation in League One. Riding the crest of a wave after success in the fourth tier has proven this year that it can often provide the platform to immediately challenge again.

With confidence and belief still flowing through the squad, they need more strikers and goals again next term. That is why they are immediately looking like throwing their weight around in the third tier already.

The issue is, the division looks incredibly competitive. Relegated sides such as Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday bring huge stature and resources, while Huddersfield Town and Luton Town also possess the infrastructure and expectation levels of clubs aiming far higher than mid-table.

Plymouth Argyle improved at the back end of 2025/26 and one of Stockport County or Bolton Wanderers will be in the mix, too. It looks likely to be more competitive than ever at the top of League One for Bradford and more.